Game system and computer program

ABSTRACT

Provided is a game system capable of easily performing the second and subsequent matching processes of the game which is played in two or more rounds. The game system includes a center server and game machines that can be connected to the center server through a communication line, and executes a game played in rounds. In the game system, the center server performs matching on a predetermined number of game machines from the game machines in response to matching requests and gives the same session ID to the game machines which are matched first. Using the session ID, the matching is performed on each of the game machines to which the same session ID is given or on each of the game machines to which the same session ID is not given.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a game system in which a game is playedbetween game machines connected to each other through a center server,and a computer program thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

There has been known a game system in which the game is played betweengame machines connected to each other through a center server (forexample, see Patent Literature 1). In addition, there is PatentLiterature 2 or 3 as a prior art document related to the invention.Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 3730248, Patent Literature 2:Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-168116 and PatentLiterature 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-215721.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In some cases, the game system like the Patent Literature 1 matches thegame machines using the center server, and disconnects the center serverfrom each game machine after notifying the opponents to each gamemachine using a matching list. In this case, in some cases, the gamemachines are connected to each other such that they are divided into amaster machine which manages the progress of the game and clientmachines which are connected to the master machine, and the gamemachines share information. In this way, the game machine manages theprogress of the game. In this case, among the game machines, the mastermachine functions as a server, and server-client connection isestablished between the game machines. Since the progress of the game ismanaged between the game machines, a process required to manage theprogress of the game can be dispersed in the game machines. Therefore,it is possible to reduce the load of the server. However, since theserver is disconnected from each game machine, there is a concern thatinformation may not be transmitted between the game machines accordingto communication conditions between the game machines and the gamemachines may not share information. Also, for example, when the mastermachine may not execute the game according to the game rule orcommunication line trouble etc., a game machine which will function asthe new master machine needs to be determined In this case, there isconsidered a method in which each game machine approves the new mastermachine based on the matching list. However, as described above, whenthere is a difference between information items for the game machinesdue to the inconsistency of the communication conditions or the like,the connection destinations of the new master machine may not be matchedwith each other between the game machines. As a result, some gamemachines may not be connected to the new master machine. Further, it isdifficult to check whether the game machine which is approved as the newmaster machine can be connected before it is connected. Therefore, insome cases, connection to the new master machine is performed severaltimes. Furthermore, in some cases, even when all of the client machinesare connected to the new master machine, there is a difference ininformation between the game machines at the time when the machines areconnected. These cases are assumed, and processes capable of respondingto the assumed cases need to be prepared. Therefore, in many cases, eachclient machine continuously performs the progress of the game in thestand-alone mode, without reconnecting the client machines, even thoughthe client machines can be reconnected to each other based on thematching list.

An object of the invention is to provide a game system capable of easilyperforming the second and subsequent matching processes of the gamewhich is played in two or more rounds, and a computer program thereof.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

A game system according to the present invention comprises a centerserver and game machines that can be connected to the center serverthrough a communication line, and a predetermined number of gamemachines among the game machines are matched with each other in responseto matching requests from each of the game machines, after the matchingends, the center server is disconnected from each of the matched gamemachines and a game is played among the predetermined number of gamemachines which are connected so as to communicate with each other in twoor more rounds, and wherein each of the game machines comprises: amatching request device that issues the matching request whenever eachof the rounds starts; a connection device that connects the matched gamemachines so as to communicate with each other whenever each of therounds starts; and a disconnection device that disconnects the matchedgame machines whenever each of the rounds ends, and wherein the centerserver comprises: a matching device that matches, as the predeterminednumber of game machines, the game machines satisfying a predeterminedcondition among the game machines in response to the matching requestfrom each of the game machines whenever each of the rounds starts; andan ID giving device that gives the same session ID to the game machineswhich are matched first, among the game machines matched by the matchingdevice whenever each of the rounds starts, and the matching devicematches the game machines to which the same session ID is given or thegame machines to which the same session ID is not given, using thesession ID as the predetermined condition.

According to the present invention, the center server gives the samesession ID to the game machines to be matched with each other, andmatches the game machines based on the session ID. In this way, thecenter server can manage the matching between the game machines in anintegrated fashion. In the game played in two or more rounds, matchingis performed plural times. However, since the same session ID is givento the game machines which are target of the second and subsequentmatching processes, it is possible to easily match the game machinesbased on the session ID. Also, since the matching and connection betweenthe game machines are refreshed whenever each round starts, it ispossible to prevent difficulties in the progress of the game due toinconsistency between information items for the game machines. Forexample, in the game in which the players play two or more rounds in thetournament, in some cases, the consolation match is hoped between thedefeated game machines, separately from the winner game machines. Sincethe consolation match is played between the defeated game machines, thatis, the losers, it is played separately from the game played between thegame machines which won the game, that is, the winners. However,finally, the winner of the consolation match needs to join the gamemachines which won the previous round, and the game machines includingthe winner of the consolation match and the winners in the previousround need to compete with each other. In this case, it is also possibleto easily match the game machines which won the previous round and thewinner of the consolation match based on the session IDs given to eachgame machine.

The game machines may be connected to each other in any type. Forexample, in the game system according to an aspect of the presentinvention, the center server may further comprise a determining devicethat determines a parent game machine which outputs an instruction toother game machines among the game machines based on an instruction fromthe center server, and wherein the connection device may connect thegame machines such that the parent game machine functions as a serverand the other game machines function as clients which operate inresponse to the instruction from the parent game machine. In this case,since the instruction from the center server is output to the gamemachines through the parent game machine, it is possible to reduce theload of the center server. Also, since the game machines are connectedto each other in a server-client type in which the parent game machinefunctions as a server, it is possible to prevent a time difference ininstruction between the game machines, as compared to other connectiontypes. Furthermore, the center server can determine the parent gamemachine in an integrated fashion.

In the game system according to an aspect of the present invention, thedetermining device may determine the parent game machine whenever eachof the rounds starts. In this case, even when the parent game machine isdefeated and eliminated in each round, it is possible to easilyestablish the server-client connection between the game machines in thenext round. Also, since the center server determines the parent gamemachine in each round, each game machine does not need to search for aconnectable game machine which will be approved as the parent gamemachine. A communication environment between the game machines isgreatly affected by the environment in which each game machine isinstalled. However, since the center server has a sufficiently stablecommunication environment, the stability of the communication connectionof the center server is higher than that of the game machine. Therefore,it is possible to prevent defects due to communication line trouble orthe like.

In the game system according to an aspect of the present invention,matches to which the game machines matched under different conditionsbelong may be played in the same round among the rounds, and wherein atleast one of the center server and the game machines may furthercomprise a master machine setting device that sets, for each match, onemaster machine which manages the progress of the game from the gamemachines belonging to each of the matches. In this case, it is possibleto set the master machine for each of the matches which are matchedunder different conditions. In contrast, in the same round, the gamemachines are connected to a common parent game machine, and transmissionand reception of information from and to the center server is executedthrough the parent game machine. Therefore, it is possible to match therounds in each match under the control of the parent game machine and itis possible to independently play each match under the control of themaster machine in each match. In this way, for example, it is possibleto independently play the match between the winners of the previousround and the match between the losers of the previous round which isdifferent from the match between the winners in the same round. And, itis possible to reduce the load of the parent game machine, as comparedto a case in which the parent game machine also manages the progress ofthe game in each round.

In the game system according to an aspect of the present invention, thematching request from each of the game machines to the center server mayinclude an identification code for identifying the rounds. In this case,it is possible to identify the round to which the game machines to bematched should belong. Therefore, it is possible to change the matchingconditions in each round. And, the aspect of the identification code isnot particularly limited. For example, in the game system according toan aspect of the present invention, the session ID includes a roundidentifying portion as the identification code for identifying therounds.

A computer program for a game system according to the present inventionis applied to a game system which comprises a center server and gamemachines that can be connected to the center server through acommunication line, and in which a predetermined number of game machinesamong the game machines being matched with each other in response tomatching requests from each of the game machines, after the matchingends, the center server being disconnected from each of the matched gamemachines and a game being played among the predetermined number of gamemachines which are connected so as to communicate with each other in twoor more rounds, and wherein the computer program is configured to causeeach of the game machines to serve as: a matching request device thatissues the matching request whenever each of the rounds starts; and aconnection device that connects the matched game machines so as tocommunicate with each other whenever each of the rounds starts; and adisconnection device that disconnects the matched game machines whenevereach of the rounds ends, and wherein the computer program is configuredto cause the center server to serve as: a matching device that matches,as the predetermined number of game machines, the game machinessatisfying a predetermined condition among the game machines in responseto the matching request from each of the game machines whenever each ofthe rounds starts; and an ID giving device that gives the same sessionID to the game machines which are matched first, among the game machinesmatched by the matching device whenever each of the rounds starts, andwherein the computer program is configured to further cause the matchingdevice to serve as a device that matches the game machines to which thesame session ID is given or the game machines to which the same sessionID is not given, using the session ID as the predetermined condition. Itis possible to achieve the game system according to the presentinvention by executing the computer program according to the presentinvention.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possibleto easily perform the second and subsequent matching processes of thegame which is played in two or more rounds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a gamesystem according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the outline of an intro music quiz gamewhich is executed by the game system according to the embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a matching list.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the process of a control unit of agame machine and the process of a control unit of a center server whenthe opponents to each game machine are determined

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a game system 1 according to anembodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in a game system1, game machines 2 and a center server 3 are connected to a network 5through routers 7. For example, the center server 3 is configured withone physical device, but the invention is not limited thereto. Onelogical center server 3 may be configured with a server group includingphysical devices. And, the Internet is used as the network 5. Inaddition, the network 5 is not limited to the Internet. The network 5may use a communication line.

Each of the game machines 2 is a business game machine and anappropriate number of game machines 2 are installed in a commercialfacility, such as a store 6. The router 4 is provided so as tocorrespond to each store 6, and the center server 3 and the gamemachines 2 in the same store are connected to the network 5 through thecommon router 4. In addition, a local server may be installed betweenthe game machine 2 and the router 4 in the store 6, and the game machine2 may be connected to the center server 3 through the local server so asto communicate with the center server 3.

The game machine 2 is provided with a control unit 8 which is configuredas a computer including a microprocessor and internal memory devices(not illustrated) such as a ROM which stores a program of operatingsystem etc. to be executed by the microprocessor, and a RAM whichprovides a work area to the microprocessor. Also, an external storagedevice (not illustrated) is connected to the game machine 2. Theexternal storage device stores various game programs to be executed bythe control unit 8 and various kinds of data which are referred to bythe programs

The center server 3 is provided with a control unit 7 which isconfigured as a computer including a microprocessor and internal memorydevices (not illustrated) such as a ROM which stores a program of anoperating system to be executed by the microprocessor, and a RAM whichprovides a work area to the microprocessor. Also, an external storagedevice (not illustrated) is connected to the center server 3. Theexternal storage device stores various server programs to be executed bythe control unit 7 and various kinds of data which are referred to bythe programs

Next, as an example of the game executed by the game system 1, theoutline of an intro music quiz game will be described. FIG. 2 is adiagram illustrating the outline of the intro music quiz game executedby the game system 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the intro music quizgame is a tournament game in which a total of eight game machines 2participate and compete in three rounds and the game machines 2 whichwon each round can be advanced to the next round. In the first round,the eight game machines 2 are divided into two groups each includingfour game machines 2 and the two groups compete with each other. In thesecond and third rounds, the game machines 2 which won the first roundcompete with each other. The player of each game machine 2 can pay for aplay fee only once to play the game up to the third round as long as theplayer continues to win.

First, each game machine 2 declares an intention to participate in thegame to the center server 3 through the network 5. As the declaration ofthe intention, each game machine 2 transmits a matching request to thecenter server 3. When the eight game machines 2 which will participatein the first round are determined, the center server 3 matches the gamemachines 2 as opponents or associates in the first round, and transmitsmatching information as a matching list 10 to each game machine 2. Also,the center server 3 designates a parent game machine which functions asa server in the first round from the eight game machines 2 participatingin the game. After the information is transmitted, the center server 3is disconnected from the matched game machines 2. After disconnection,server-client connection is established between the game machines 2 suchthat the parent game machine functions as a server and the other gamemachines function as clients. In this way, the center server 3 outputsinstructions to the game machines other than the parent game machinethrough the parent game machine. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, agame machine 2 a is designated as the parent game machine. In this way,the eight game machines 2 are connected such that the game machine 2 afunctions as a server and the other game machines 2 b to 2 h function asclients connected to the game machine 2 a, and the first-round game isplayed between the game machines 2. In addition, as the embodiment forconnecting the eight game machines 2, there may be applied various typesof embodiments for connecting the eight game machines 2 such as a startype or a ring type. However, it is preferable that the server-clientconnection be established between the game machines in order to suppressthe communication time difference between the game machines 2.

In the first-round group match, four game machines 2 in one of the twogroups which gets a higher score in the first round are advanced as thewinners to the semifinal, which are the second round, and four gamemachines 2 in the group which gets a lower score are the losers. Then,two game machines 2 which get a high score among the game machines 2 inthe loser group can be advanced to a second-round consolation match, andthe other two game machines 2 are eliminated from the game (the game isover). In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, of two groups G1 and G2,since the score of the group G2 is higher than that of the group G1,game machines 2 e to 2 h belonging to the group G2 are advanced to thesecond round which is the semifinal. On the other hand, among gamemachines 2 a to 2 d belonging to the group G1, which is a defeatedgroup, since the two game machines 2 c and 2 d get scores higher thanthose of the game machines 2 a and 2 b, the game machines 2 c and 2 dare advanced to the second-round consolation match, and the other twogame machines 2 a and 2 b are eliminated from the game. Also, at thetime when the two game machines 2 a and 2 b which are defeated in thefirst round are determined, all of the game machines 2 are disconnectedfrom each other once.

In the second round, the consolation match and the semifinal are playedon the game machines. In the second-round consolation match, the twogame machines 2 c and 2 d belonging to the loser group G1 compete witheach other (1 vs. 1). In the semifinal, the four game machines 2 e to 2h belonging to the winner group G2 compete with each other (1 vs. 1 vs.1 vs. 1). Before the second round starts, each of the game machines 2 cto 2 h is connected to the center server 3 again so as to communicatetherewith. And, each of the game machines 2 c to 2 h advanced to thesecond round transmits a matching request to determine the opponent tothe center server 3. The center server 3 transmits, to each of the gamemachines 2 c to 2 h, a matching list in which the opponents to the gamemachines 2 c to 2 h are matched again such that the game machine 2 c andthe game machine 2 d in the loser group G1 compete with each other inthe consolation match and the game machines 2 e to 2 h in the winnergroup G2 compete with each other in the semifinal. After the informationis transmitted, the center server 3 is disconnected from the matchedgame machines 2.

Also, the center server 3 designates a parent game machine whichfunctions as a server in the second round among six game machines 2participating in the second round. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2,the game machine 2 c is designated as the parent game machine. In thisway, in the second round, the game machines 2 c to 2 h are connected toeach other in a server-client type in which the game machine 2 cfunctions as a server and the other game machines 2 d to 2 h function asclients, and the second-round game is played between the game machines 2c to 2 h. Since only one game machine 2 c is designated as the parentgame machine, information can be exchanged between the game machines 2 cand 2 d advanced to the consolation match and the game machines 2 e to 2h advanced to the semifinal among the game machines 2 c to 2 h. In thisway, it is possible to manage the progress conditions of the consolationmatch and the progress conditions of the semifinal in an integratedfashion. However, it is necessary to configure the semifinal and theconsolation match such that they are not affected with each other by theprogress conditions of them. Therefore, one of the two game machines 2 cand 2 d which play the consolation match and one of the four gamemachines 2 e to 2 h which play the semifinal are further set as mastermachines for managing the progress of the game. The two master machinesmanage the progress of the two game machines 2 c and 2 d and theprogress of the four game machines 2 e to 2 h, respectively. As theprogress management, for example, each master machine manages thequestions given in the consolation match or the semifinal. For example,the management of the questions to be given is achieved in such a mannerthat each of the game machines 2 e to 2 h filters question data to whichguard conditions, such as “consolation match” and “semifinal”,transmitted from the center server 3 through the parent game machine 2 cin response to requests from each master machine are given so as toprocess the target data to be given as questions on the basis of theguard conditions and discard the data other than the target data to begiven as questions. In addition, in the first and third rounds otherthan the second round, each parent game machine also functions as themaster machine. The winner of the two game machines in the consolationmatch and the top two game machines which get high scores among the fourgame machines in the semifinal are advanced to the third round, which isthe final round. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the game machine2 d which is the winner of the consolation match and two game machines 2e and 2 f which are the winners of the semifinal are advanced to thefinal. At the time when the game machines 2 d to 2 f which will beadvanced to the third round are determined, all of the game machines 2are disconnected from each other again.

In the third round, which is the final round, three game machines 2 d to2 f which won the consolation match and the semifinal of the secondround compete with each other (1 vs. 1 vs. 1). Before the third roundstarts, the game machines 2 c to 2 h are connected to the center server3 again so as to communicate therewith, and the three game machines 2 dto 2 f which play the final round transmit a matching request todetermine the opponents to the center server 3. The center server 3transmits, to the game machines 2 d to 2 f, a matching list in which theopponents to the game machines 2 d to 2 f are matched again such thatthe three game machines 2 d to 2 f which are advanced to the third roundas the final compete with each other. Also, the center server 3designates a parent game machine which functions as a server in thefinal round among the three game machines 2 which play the final round.After these information are transmitted, the center server 3 isdisconnected from the matched game machines 2. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 2, the game machine 2 d is designated as the parentgame machine. In this way, in the third round, the game machines 2 d to2 f are connected in a server-client type in which the game machine 2 dfunctions as the server and the other game machines 2 e and 2 f functionas the clients, and the final game is played between the game machines 2d to 2 f. And, among the three game machines 2 d to 2 f in the finalround, one game machine getting the highest score in the final round isthe winner.

Next, the details of the matching list 10 transmitted to each gamemachine 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exampleof the matching list 10. The matching list 10 is transmitted from thecenter server 3 to each game machine 2 in order to notify the opponentsto each game machine 2. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the matching list 10includes various kinds of data, such as the IP address of each gamemachine 2 which is matched as the opponent and a session ID 15. Thecenter server 3 gives the session ID 15 in response to a request toparticipate in the game and the session ID 15 is used to match the gamemachines 2. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the session ID 15 includes an IDportion 15 a and a round identifying portion 15 b for identifying theround of the game. As the ID portion, there may be used a “value” (whichincrements whenever it is used), a “date”, a “combination of valuesunique to the user and the game machine” (unique values, such as aglobal IP address, the registration number of the store, a MAC address,a system ID in the case, and an e-AMUSEMENT path ID). However, this isavoided since it causes inconvenience when one game machine is used anddoes not participate in the game due to, for example, defeat). Also, thenumber of rounds played by the game machine 2 is given to the roundidentifying portion 15 b. For example, when the first round is played onthe game machine 2, “1” is given. When the second round is played on thegame machine 2, “2” is given. When the third round is played on the gamemachine 2, “3” is given.

Next, processes when the control unit 7 of the center server 3 and thecontrol unit 8 of each game machine 2 execute the intro music quiz gamewill be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the process of thecontrol unit 8 of the game machine 2 and the process of the control unit7 of the center server 3 when the opponent to each game machine 2 isdetermined First, in Step S1 of FIG. 4, the control unit 8 of the gamemachine 2 determines whether or not the round to which each game machine2 belongs ends. When the round to which each game machine 2 belongsends, the control unit 8 proceeds to Step S2 and disconnects theconnection between the game machines 2. Then, the control unit 8proceeds to Step S3. On the other hand, when it is determined in Step S1that the round to which each game machine 2 belongs has not ended, thecontrol unit 8 skips the subsequent steps and ends the current routine.Then, in Step S3, the control unit 8 of the game machine 2 determineswhether or not the player performs an operation to declare an intentionto participate in the game or the next round. The declaration of theintention corresponds to, for example, the payment of a play fee. InStep S3, when it is determined that the player declares an intention toparticipate in the game, the control unit 8 proceeds to Step S4. On theother hand, when it is determined in Step S3 that the player does notdeclare an intention to participate in the game, the control unit 8skips the subsequent steps and ends the current routine. Then, in StepS4, the control unit 8 of the game machine 2 transmits a matchingrequest as the declaration of the intention to participate in the intromusic quiz game to the center server 3 on the basis of the operation ofthe player. When the game machine 2 has the session ID 15, the matchingrequest in Step S1 includes the session ID 15. The control unit 7receives the matching request from the game machine 2 in Step S11. Then,in Step S12, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the session ID15 is included in the matching request received from the game machine 2as a predetermined condition. When the session ID 15 is not included inthe matching request, the control unit 7 proceeds to Step 13 and addsthe records of the game machines 2 to a table for eight game machines.When the records of eight game machines are added to the table for eightgame machines, the control unit 7 issues a common (same) session ID 15to the eight game machines 2 included in the table for eight gamemachines in Step S14 and proceeds to Step S15. That is, it is determinedthat each game machine 2 added to the table for eight game machines,that is, each game machine 2 corresponding to the initial matchingwithout the session ID 15 satisfies the predetermined condition, thesession ID 15 is given. In addition, the round identifying portion 15 bof the session ID 15 issued by the control unit 7 in Step S14 is “1”.

On the other hand, when the determination result in Step S12 is “Yes”,the control unit 7 proceeds to Step S18 and determines the roundcorresponding to the matching request from the session ID 15 included inthe matching request. As described above, since the session ID 15includes the round identifying portion 15 b for identifying the roundplayed by the game machine 2, the determination is performed on thebasis of the round identifying portion 15 b of the session ID 15. InStep S18, when the round identifying portion 15 b included in thesession ID 15 indicates the first round, that is, when the roundidentifying portion 15 b is “1”, the control unit 7 proceeds to Step S19and adds the records of the game machines 2 to a table for six gamemachines. When the records of the game machines 2 are added to the tablefor six game machines, the control unit 7 adds the game machines 2having the same session ID 15 to the same table for six game machines onthe basis of the session ID 15. And, when the records of the six gamemachines are added to the table for six game machines, the control unit7 proceeds to Step S20 and updates the round identifying portion 15 b ofthe session ID 15 of the six game machines 2 in the table for six gamemachines from “1” to “2” in Step S20. Then, the control unit 7 proceedsto Step S15. In addition, the ID portion 15 a of the session ID 15 isnot changed.

In Step S18, when the round identifying portion 15 b included in thesession ID 15 indicates the second round, that is, when the roundidentifying portion 15 b is “2”, the control unit 7 proceeds to Step S21and adds the records of the game machines 2 to a table for three gamemachines. When the records of the game machines 2 are added to the tablefor three game machines, the control unit 7 adds the game machines 2having the same session ID 15 to the same table for three game machineson the basis of the session ID 15, similarly to Step S19. And, when therecords of three game machines are added to the table for three gamemachines, the control unit 7 proceeds to Step S20. In Step S20, thecontrol unit 7 updates the round identifying portion 15 b of the sessionID 15 of three game machines 2 in the table for three game machines from“2” to “3”. Then, the control unit 7 proceeds to Step S15.

In Step S15, the control unit 7 generates the matching list 10 on thebasis of the tables created in Steps S13, S19, and S21. Then, in StepS16, the control unit 7 determines a parent game machine 2 which willfunction as a server among the game machines 2 and proceeds to Step S17.The parent game machine may be determined by various conditions capableof specifying one machine. For example, the parent game machine may beselected at random, or the game machine which is accessed first may beselected as the parent game machine. In Step S17, the control unit 7transmits information about the matching list 10 made in Step S15 andthe parent game machine 2 determined in Step S16 to each game machine 2,and ends the current routine. The information about the parent gamemachine 2 may be included in the matching list 10. The generation of thematching list 10 and the determination of the parent game machine may bereversed. The consolation match between the game machines 2 in the losergroup and the semifinal between the game machines in the winner groupare identified by separate codes for identifying the groups. When thematching list 10 is generated, the codes for identifying the groups areconsidered for achieving the consolation match and the semifinal.

In Step S5, the control unit 8 of the game machine 2 acquires theinformation about the matching list 10 and the parent game machine 2transmitted from the control unit 7. Then, in Step S6, the control unit8 of the game machine 2 sets a matching environment. In the setting ofthe matching environment, for example, there is included setting forserver-client connection which is established between the opponents orthe partners such that the parent game machine 2 functions as a server,or the display of the opponents or the partners. Also, the parent gamemachine may set a master machine as the setting of the matchingenvironment. In this case, in the second round, one master machine isselected from the game machines 2 belonging to the consolation match,and one master machine is selected from the game machines 2 belonging tothe semifinal under various conditions capable of specifying one gamemachine. In Step S7, the control unit 8 of the game machine 2 permitsthe start of the game, and ends the current routine.

According to this embodiment, in each round of the tournament, the gamemachines are disconnected from each other, and the center server 3performs matching to determine the opponents and determines the parentgame machine. In this way, it is possible to reduce the number ofprocesses of the game machine and the number of times informationtransmitted between the game machines. Therefore, it is possible toreduce the load of the game machines. And, the center server 3 canmanage various processes and various kinds of data in an integratedfashion. In this way, it is possible to suppress, for example, adevelopment load or a maintenance load. Even when the parent gamemachine is defeated in each round, the center server 3 determines a newparent game machine in the next round. Therefore, even in the tournamentgame played in two or more rounds, it is possible to easily establishthe server-client connection between the game machines 2. In this way,it is possible to prevent difficulty in the progress of the game. Also,the same session ID 15 is given to each of the eight game machines 2participating in the tournament. Therefore, it is possible to easilyachieve the matching between the game machines 2 in each round executedby the center server 3, with reference to the session ID 15. Further, inmatching in each round, only the number of game machines 2 to be matchedis changed according to the round. Therefore, a common process can beused for matching in each round. In this way, it is possible to suppressa development load and hardware resources used. And, since the centerserver 3 performs matching, it is possible to reduce the number ofprocesses which are performed for matching by each game machine 2. Sincethe number of game machines 2 is more than the number of center servers3, it is possible to significantly reduce hardware resources.

In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 7 of the centerserver 3 functions as an ID giving device, a matching device, and adetermining device by executing the routine illustrated in FIG. 4. Thecontrol unit 8 of the game machine 2 functions as a matching requestdevice and a disconnection device by executing the routine illustratedin FIG. 4. Further, the game machine 2 functions as a connection deviceand a master machine setting device by executing Step S6 of FIG. 4.

The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, butvarious modifications and changes of the invention can be made. In theabove-described embodiment, as the game played in two or more rounds, atournament game in which the number of opponents is reduced in eachround is played. However, the game played in two or more rounds is notlimited to the tournament game. For example, as the game played in twoor more rounds, a league game may be played in which a predeterminednumber of game machines compete with each other in each round whilechanging their opponents and contests a winning rate of all of rounds.Also, as described above, it is preferable that the game machines 2 beconnected to each other in the server-client type. However, theconnection type is not limited thereto.

In the above-described embodiment, the round identifying portion 15 b ofthe session ID 15 identifies the round. However, a code for identifyingthe consolation match may be included in the round identifying portion15 b. In this case, for example, “A” may be included as the code foridentifying the consolation match in the round identifying portion 15 b.Also, for example, when the session ID is given at the beginning, codes“A” and “B” etc. for identifying the groups may be given to the roundidentifying portion 15 b. In this case, in two-round matching, thewinner group can be matched with the semifinal, and the loser group canbe matched with the consolation match. And, two or more digits may beprepared as the round identifying portion 15 b.

In the above-described embodiment, the round identifying portion 15 b isincluded in the session ID 15, but the invention is not limited thereto.Any round identification code may be used as long as it can identify theround corresponding to the matching request. For example, a codedifferent from the session ID may be given as a round identificationcode, and the round may be identified by the code included in thematching request. This code may be given by the game machine, or theround may be updated by the game machine. Also, for example, theconnection destination of each game machine may be identified in eachround by IP addresses etc. which are identified for each rounds includedin the matching list. In this case, the center servers may be preparedfor each connection destination, or the connection destinations in eachround may be provided in one center server. Also, the game may beconfigured such that the game machine can participate in the middle ofthe rounds (in any one of the rounds included in the game). In thiscase, for example, when a different code is used as the roundidentification code, this code may be included as information about theround in which the game machine wants to participate in the matchingrequest from the game machine. When this code is used, Step S12 and StepS13 of FIG. 4 may be changed so as to prepare a step for identifying theround information as a predetermined condition and proceed to Step S19or Step S21 according to the round in which the game machine wants toparticipate. And, in Step S20, the session ID may be given to the gamemachine which does not have a session ID.

In the above-described embodiment, the code for identifying the group isprovided separately. However, similarly to the round identifying portion15 b, the code may be included in the session ID, or differentconnection destinations may be provided for each group. Also, in theabove-described embodiment, in the second round, two matches withdifferent conditions, that is, the consolation match between the top twoplayers among the losers in the first round and the semifinal betweenfour winners in the first round are played. However, the differentconditions are not limited thereto. There may be provided a processwhich matches two or more groups including the game machines formed bymatching between the groups. In this way, it is possible to combine thegame played in each group with the games played between two or moregroups. Therefore, for example, it is further possible to execute thetournament type of game between one or two or more game machines whichwon the league games in each region. That is, it is possible to realizegames with different conditions, such as, a league game and a tournamentgame, in the same round. In the above-described embodiment, the gamemachine 2 functions as the master machine setting device, but theinvention is not limited thereto. For example, the center server 3 mayset the master machine, simultaneously with the determination of theparent game machine. In this case, the control unit of the center serverfunctions as the master machine setting device.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1: GAME SYSTEM-   2: GAME MACHINE (MASTER MACHINE SETTING DEVICE)-   3: CENTER SERVER-   5: NETWORK (COMMUNICATION LINE)-   7: CONTROL UNIT (ID GIVING DEVICE, MATCHING DEVICE, DETERMINING    DEVICE)-   8: CONTROL UNIT (MATCHING REQUEST DEVICE, CONNECTION DEVICE,    DISCONNECTION DEVICE)-   10: MATCHING LIST-   15: SESSION ID-   15 a: ID PORTION-   15 b: ROUND IDENTIFYING PORTION

1. A game system comprising a center server and game machines that canbe connected to the center server through a communication line, and apredetermined number of game machines among the game machines beingmatched with each other in response to matching requests from each ofthe game machines, after the matching ends, the center server beingdisconnected from each of the matched game machines and a game beingplayed among the predetermined number of game machines which areconnected so as to communicate with each other in two or more rounds,and wherein each of the game machines comprises: a matching requestdevice that issues the matching request whenever each of the roundsstarts; a connection device that connects the matched game machines soas to communicate with each other whenever each of the rounds starts;and a disconnection device that disconnects the matched game machineswhenever each of the rounds ends, and wherein the center servercomprises: a matching device that matches, as the predetermined numberof game machines, the game machines satisfying a predetermined conditionamong the game machines in response to the matching request from each ofthe game machines whenever each of the rounds starts; and an ID givingdevice that gives the same session ID to the game machines which arematched first, among the game machines matched by the matching devicewhenever each of the rounds starts, and the matching device matches thegame machines to which the same session ID is given or the game machinesto which the same session ID is not given, using the session ID as thepredetermined condition.
 2. The game system according to claim 1, thecenter server further comprising a determining device that determines aparent game machine which outputs an instruction to other game machinesamong the game machines based on an instruction from the center server,and wherein the connection device connects the game machines such thatthe parent game machine functions as a server and the other gamemachines function as clients which operate in response to theinstruction from the parent game machine.
 3. The game system accordingto claim 2, wherein the determining device determines the parent gamemachine whenever each of the rounds starts.
 4. The game system accordingto claim 1, wherein matches to which the game machines matched underdifferent conditions belong are played in the same round among therounds, and wherein at least one of the center server and the gamemachines further comprises a master machine setting device that sets,for each match, one master machine which manages the progress of thegame from the game machines belonging to each of the matches.
 5. Thegame system according to claim 1, wherein the matching request from eachof the game machines to the center server includes an identificationcode for identifying the rounds.
 6. The game system according to claim5, wherein the session ID includes a round identifying portion as theidentification code for identifying the rounds.
 7. A storage mediumstoring a computer program for a game system being applied to a gamesystem which comprises a center server and game machines that can beconnected to the center server through a communication line, and inwhich a predetermined number of game machines among the game machinesbeing matched with each other in response to matching requests from eachof the game machines, after the matching ends, the center server beingdisconnected from each of the matched game machines and a game beingplayed among the predetermined number of game machines which areconnected so as to communicate with each other in two or more rounds,and wherein the computer program is configured to cause each of the gamemachines to serve as: a matching request device that issues the matchingrequest whenever each of the rounds starts; and a connection device thatconnects the matched game machines so as to communicate with each otherwhenever each of the rounds starts; and a disconnection device thatdisconnects the matched game machines whenever each of the rounds ends,and wherein the computer program is configured to cause the centerserver to serve as: a matching device that matches, as the predeterminednumber of game machines, the game machines satisfying a predeterminedcondition among the game machines in response to the matching requestfrom each of the game machines whenever each of the rounds starts; andan ID giving device that gives the same session ID to the game machineswhich are matched first, among the game machines matched by the matchingdevice whenever each of the rounds starts, and wherein the computerprogram is configured to further cause the matching device to serve as adevice that matches the game machines to which the same session ID isgiven or the game machines to which the same session ID is not given,using the session ID as the predetermined condition.